5 September 2003

In Thailand, the too often unregulated expansion of unsustainable developments, such as industrial shrimp farming, seriously threaten the country's fragile coastal ecosystems. Combined with over-fishing and unplanned tourism, many marine ecosystems are in crisis. Mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs are being seriously degraded or destroyed. Mangrove Action Project wishes to promote more public awareness about the importance and beauty of these coastal regions in an effort to raise both local and international concern to effectively conserve, restore and manage these invaluable ecosystems.                                                       .John Gray photo

For these reasons, MAP has sought out the help of John Gray's SeaCanoe Tours to offer the public an educational, as well as inspirational, view of the coastal regions now threatened by development pressures. John Gray's SeaCanoe Tours celebrates 20 years of "Natural History by Sea Kayak" by donating 20% of your JGSC booking to MAP. This will not only be helping MAP raise needed funds for important project support, but also will spotlight those same issues that MAP has been working on since 1992. The following is a brief background of John Gray's SeaCanoe Tours for your information.

Expect real adventure. Started in Hawai'i (1983) and Thailand (1989), John's concept received immediate recognition. "Moloka'i's Forgotten Frontier" won 1985 EMMY and TEDDY awards as best environmental production. Travel Channel ran his 1988-89 "Inside Hawai'i" shows three times. In Asia, exotic sea kayaking includes limestone tidal sea caves with cliff-lined lagoons behind them, and Gray invented the Tidal Technology to enter these ecosystems - see it on "Globetrekker", "Passport to Adventure" and Canada's "Beyond Borders". Gray's Ecotourism demonstration project won six environmental awards with trips receiving regular National Geographic "World's Best" mentions.

In January 2003, a MAP group tried a Phang Nga trip and the creative sparks flew. JGSC guides gained significant and ongoing mangrove knowledge, and this fundraising concept to help support MAP was born. If you seek an exotic and unique adventure and wish to also help support the important work of Mangrove Action Project, please contact JCSC. Make your 20% donation directly to MAP and JGSC credits the contribution to your Tropical Kayaking adventure.

Source: Earth Island News Room